Zip fastener

ABSTRACT

A method of simultaneously sewing two halves of a sliding clasp fastener forming part of a continuous fastener tape, with the fastener-coupling members on each half in engagement with each other, to a support such as the top material of a garment. The fastener tape with the desired length of both halves sewn onto the support is severed in a part that is provisionally left disconnected from the support, and in that the tape is provided simultaneously with a connection to join together the interengaging coupling members on the two halves in the region of the severing. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

[54] ZIP FASTENER United States Patent [1113,570,434

[72] Inventor Pe 0- Gustavsson 3,381,639 5/1968 Miller 1 12/130 Bog slmg Sweden 3 ,425 ,373 2/1969 1 12/130 [21] App]. No. 734,262 2,993,2517/1961 i12/265X I [22] Filed June 4, 19 3,129,498 4/1964 1 12/265X [45]Patented Mar. 16, 1971 3,225,429 12/1965 Fady 1 12/265X [32] PrioritySept. 6, 1967, June 5, 1967 FOREIGN PATENTS [33] Germany and Sweden [31]P422946 and 7,840 1,476,118 2/1967 France 24/205.11F

Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Assistant ExaminerGeo. V. LarkinAttorney-Michael S. Striker ABSTRACT: A method of simultaneously sewingtwo halves of a sliding clasp fastener forming part of a continuousfastener tape, with the fastener-coupling members on each half inengagement with each other, to a support such as the top material of agarment. The fastener tape with the desired length of both halves sewnonto the support is severed in a part that is provisionally leftdisconnected from the support, and in that the tape is providedsimultaneously with a connection to join together the interengagingcoupling members on the two halves in the region of the severing. Theinvention is also directed to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Patented March 16, 1911 $510,434

2 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR Pnflr D 505M058! 7' Patented March 16, 1971 I3,570,434

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR Farm; Guatwaawm ZllP FASTENER The presentinvention relates firstly to a method of simultaneously sewing the twohalves of a continuous zip fastener tape, with their coupling members inengagement, onto a support such as the top material of a garment.

One proposed method was for the two halves of the closed continuousfastener tape unwound from a supply reel to be fed to the two needles ofa double needle sewing machine, by means of which the end portion of thetape was stitched into a slit in a garment. When the desired length hadbeen sewn onto the garment the sewn-on part of the tape was severed byhand. Only subsequently, in a separate operation, were the two halves ofthe attached length of fastener provided with clips to join themtogether. The clips both served to hold the two halves of the fastenertogether at the place where they were fitted and acted as a stop for theas yet unfitted slide of the finished fastener.

This proposed method wastes time and is expensive. When the length offastener tape has been sewn on, the garments have to be fed to a specialmachine in order to be provided with the clips. Moving and handling oflarge garments during this process is very laborious. Anotherdisadvantage is that the end portion of continuous fastener tape on thereel, which is left disconnected from the garment and is only to be sewnon to the approaching garment at the next stage, is in the meantime notprovided with a clip to join the two halves. There is therefore a dangerthat the coupling members on the two halves of the zip fastener mayeasily come out of engagement where the tape has been cut, so that thetape cannot be properly sewn on and difficulties will be encounteredwhen it is subsequently provided with clips. As the closed fastener tapehas to be passed through the stitching point of the machine for thestitching process, it is not possible to fit the clips in the desiredposition before this process is carried out. And in any case thefirst-mentioned disadvantage of laborious time consuming handling andhigh production costs could not be avoided.

An aim of the present invention is circumvent or reduce thesedisadvantages.

According to the invention, there is provided a method of simultaneouslysewing two halves of a sliding clasp fastener forming part of acontinuous fastener tape, with the fastenercoupling members on each halfin engagement with each other, to support such as the top material of agarment, characterized in that the fastener tape with the desired lengthof both halves sewn onto the support is severed in a part that isprovisionally left disconnected from the support, and in that the tapeis provided simultaneously with a connection to join together theinter-engaging coupling members on the two halves in the region of thesevering.

it will be appreciated that severing the tape and mounting the connectorbetween the two halves of the fastener takes place in one operation.This eliminates one of the separate operations hitherto required andavoids laborious time-consuming process of aligning the garment with thefastener attached to it when mounting the connector, since when the zipfastener has been stitched on it is automatically in exactly the rightposition relatively to the mounting station for the connector. in thisway unnecessary work is cut out and cost considerably reduced.

it is particularly advisable to mount the connector on the end portionof tape, provisionally left disconnected from the support, during thesevering operation. This ensures that the two halves of the length offastener destined to be joined to the next support cannot accidentallycome out of engagement. The connector holds the two halves of thefastener securely together at the place where it is mounted near the endof the tape.

The connection may take various known forms. One possibility is for itto be made by stapling clips between the two halves of the fastenerduring the severing of the length of tape stitched to the garment.Another possibility is for the connection to he made by welding orsticking the two halves of the fastener together during the severing ofthe sewn-on length.

Welding may be carried out either with materials of the same type as thechain of fastener members and/or the supporting tape if these are madeof weldable substances or by subsequently applying a substance capableof securing the halves together.

As mentioned, the invention also provides an apparatus for carrying outthe above method. The basic machine used for the purpose is amultineedle sewing machine known per se, wherein the needles eachsimultaneously stitch one-half of a continuous closed zip fastener tapeinto an opening in a support, such as the slit in the top material of agarment.

Such a apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that acutting instrument is provided behind, i.e. downstream of, the stitchingpoint of the machine to sever the length of fastener sewnonto thesupport from the supply of fastener tape not sewn on, and in that thecutting instrument is associated with a means for connecting the twohalves of the fastener which means can be operated synchronously withthe severing operation to join the two halves of the fastener in certainplaces. i

It will be realized that the severing of the attached length of tape andthe joining of the two halves of the fastener takes place in a singleoperation and in one and the same machine, so that if the process isautomated these parts of the machine may be controlled'by a single.control device. Compact construction of the apparatus is facilitated.

In order to simplify operation of the machine it is advisable for theconnecting means for the two halves of the fastener to be locatedbetween the sewing point and the two-part cutting instrument, and forthe said means to be joined to one movable cutting jaw of the instrumentfor movement together. On actuation of the cutting instrument the coneconnection between the two halves is thus formed at the correct distancefrom both the stitching point and the cutting instrument and theconnecting means is put into action in exactly the same working rhythmas the said instrument.

The connection means may take various forms. One possibility is for itto consist of a two-part stapler including a ram which picks up theclips and drives them through the fastener tape from one side and aplate for bending over the ends of the clips on the opposite sides ofthe tape.

Another form which the connecting means may take is a tool for weldingtogether the two halves of the fastener at the desired place. Thewelding tool is associated with a guide for conveying the weldingmaterial in strip form, if the material making up the two halves of thefastener is insufficient for the welding process or incapable of beingwelded itself.

For the first case, where the connecting means in the form of a stapler,it is recommended that the ram of the stapler should be associated witha conveyor to supply prefabricated clips. This will ensure that theapparatus according to the in vention can operate without interruptionas the clips will not have to be replenished by the conveyor, they caninstead be supplied continuously to the operating station of the connectmg means.

Instead of feeding prefabricated clips to the stapler it is possible toprovide it with a stamping tool which can cut and shape the clipssubstantially without any wastage from a strip supplied thereto.

The above-mentioned advantages of joining the two halves of thecontinuous fastener tape at the end portion provisionally leftdisconnected are of interest particularly in cases where an apparatusaccording to the invention can not only dispose of one source of supplyfor a single type of fastener tape but where numerous different types oftape have to be processed in any sequence, according to requirements.When the tape is changed from one type to another, the end portion ofdisconnected tapeleft in the machine will in such a case have to beremoved and replaced by a different one. During the exchanging processone could hitherto hardly prevent the engaged coupling members fromaccidentally opening up at the place where the tape is cut. But thisdanger is removed by the method according to the invention, in that thedisconnected halves at the end portion are stapled or welded together.The end of one tape can be pulled out and the end of a different typeinserted even in a rough manner as the ends are held together by theconnection. The danger of the originally engaged coupling members gapingapart is avoided.

An example of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a piece of top material with a length ofcontinuous zip fastener tape sewn onto it by the method according to theinvention and, in front of it, the end of the part of the tape leftdisconnected from the top material;

FIG. 2 is an end view of an apparatus for carrying out the methodaccording to the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a partly sectional side view of the same apparatus as seenalong the line of section 111-111 in FIG. 2.

The various stages in the method according to the invention can beclarified by reference to FIG. 1.

The sliding clasp fastener tape 1, comprising the two halves 2 and 3, iswound as a continuous tape of any length onto a supply reel (not shown)which in FIG. 1 is arranged on the far side of the lower end of thedrawing. In addition to this reel for one tape several other types oftape may be provided on other reels, ready to be inserted in theapparatus according to the invention. These other ready-for-use sourcesof supply for other types of tapes are not illustratedln the presentcase the illustrated tape 1 is picked up and inserted in the machine(shown only in FIGS. 2 and 3) in the direction of the arrow 4. The tapeis joined to the associated support at the stitching point of themachine, the exact location of which is at the lower end of the row ofstitching 5 shown in chain lines in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows the support aspart of a top material 6 consisting of two parts separated by a slit 7.

The slit 7 in the top material 6 is so arranged relatively to the tapepassing through the machine that it is exactly aligned with the engagingfastener members 8 and 9 on the two halves 2, 3 of the fastener. The topmaterial 6 and tape 1 are picked up by the conveyor at the stitchingpoint of the machine and joined together by lines of stitching 5 formedsimultaneously in both halves 2 and 3 of the fastener. The top materialmay be folded in known manner in the region of the slit 7 known foldingdevices being used for the purpose and mounted e.g. at the presser footof the sewing machine.

When the desired length of tape 1 has been sewn onto the top material 6this length 10 is severed from the end piece 11 of tape 1, stillconnected to the supply reel and not yet joined to the support 6 asshown by the cut 12 in FIG. 1. At the same time as the cut is made aconnector 13 is fitted onto the as yet unprocessed end 'portion 11 ofthe tape 1 to keep the fastener members 8, 9 of the two halves 2, 3securely engaged at that point.

When the length 10 has been stitched onto the top material and severedfrom the end portion 11 the top material 6 is removed and passed on forfurther preparation of the sliding clasp fastener such as the fitting ofthe slide. The end portion 11 of the machine is now already correctlypositioned for suitable attachment to a further piece of top material(not shown). In the meantime, the connector 13 ensures that the fastenermembers of the two halves 2 and 3 do not become separated and gape apartin the process.

As will be seen from the chain lines in FIG. 1, the lines of stitching 5have to in the present case been continued beyond the end of the topmaterial 6 into the end portion 11 still joined to the reel. But theparts located in the end portion 11 below the cut 12 are of noimportance as far as attachment to the illustrated material 5 isconcerned. The fact should be mentioned, however, that when theconnector 13 has been fitted it is then already of the far side of thestitching point and so cannot obstruct the further process of stitchingthe end portion 11 onto the next piece of top material.

If the requirement is for a difierent color or size of fastener tape tobe joined to the next piece of top material instead of the tape 1illustrated, the end portion 11 then in the machine can simply by pulledout and the end of the other tape inserted. The connector 13 will ensurethat the fastener members on the two halves 2, 3 do not come apart inthe process even if roughly treated.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the details of a machine for carrying out such amethod. The zip fastener tape I seen in FIG. 3 coming from a supply reel(not shown) is fed to the machine from the left. In the position shownthe tape is on the point of being joined to a piece of supportingmaterial about to be inserted. On its way into the machine the tape 1first passes through a guide 20 before passing through the stitchingpoint 23 where the two needles 21 and the pressure foot 22 are located.Before leaving the machine the tape 1 has to go through a twopartcutting instrument 24, 25. The instrument comprises a movable cuttingjaw 24 and a stationery one 25. The two cutting edges of the jaws 24, 25define the cutting point 26 of the machine.

The movable jaw 24 is connected to a piston rod 17 to a piston 28 in acompressed air cylinder 29. The piston 28 is vertically reciprocated independence on the supply of compressed air through the pipes 30, 31. Acorresponding movement is imparted to the movable jaw 24, whereby thetwo cutting edges of the jaws 24, 25 of the instrument sever the lengthof tape 1 passed between them from the end portion of the tape left inthe machine.

In accordance with the invention the connecting point 32 for the twohalves of the zip fastener is located between the stitching point 23 andthe cutting point 26. The connecting device to make the joint is atwo-part stapler comprising a plunger 33 and a plate 34 to bend over theends of the clips. The connecting means used are clips 35 with fourprongs, two of which are passed through each half of the fastener.

The clips 35 are fed to the plunger along a conveying path 36. At theend of the path 36 is a barrier 37 responsible for advancing the clipsone at a time along the path. The conveying path is in the form of arail leading from an elevated clip container, down which rail the clipsautomatically slide by gravity. At the top end (not shown) of the path36 is the container for the prepared open clips. By vibratory movementswithin the container the clips are automatically brought in an alignedposition with the guiding path 36, where they are carried down.

The plunger 33 of the stapler is mounted on the piston rod 37 togetherwith the movable cutting jaw 24. On the abovementioned movement of thepiston rod 27 the plunger 33 is thereby synchronously moved up and down.On its downward movement the barrier 37 is moved about its point ofrotation 39, thereby automatically advancing the clips the distance ofone clip towards the ram 33, so that the apparatus is always ready foroperation.

By virtue of the positioning of the fastener tape 1 in exact alignmentwith the machine, the clip 35 which is lowered with the ram 33 isinserted in the end portion of tape 1 (left in the machine) at thecorrect desired distance from the cutting point. When the ends of theclips have penetrated the tape 1 they come into contact with the bendingplate 34 of the stapler, where they are bent over on the desireddirection by means of suitable cavities.

As already mentioned the drawings only show examples of the inventionand the invention is not restricted to these. Thus a weld made ofplastics, as illustrated in FIG. 1, could act as the connector insteadof a clip. In this case the stapler on the machine would be replaced bya welding apparatus known per se which, by heat and pressure, would meltthermoplastic material supplied to it, for example in the form of astrip, The melted plastics material would then solidify to secure thetwo halves of the zip fastener together at the desired place.

Iclaim:

1. A method of connecting two halves of a continuous slide fastener withthe coupling members of the two halves in engagement with each other, toa support such as the material of a garment, comprising the steps ofsimultaneously feeding the slide fastener strip and the material inoverlapping relationship while simultaneously sewing the two halves tothe material;

step comprises the step of stapling said two slide fastener halves toeach other.

4. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting step comprisesthe step of applying a thermoplastic material transversely over at leastpart of the cut ends of both halves and welding the thermoplasticmaterial thereto.

1. A method of connecting two halves of a continuous slide fastener withthe coupling members of the two halves in engagement with each other, toa support such as the material of a garment, comprising the steps ofsimultaneously feeding the slide fastener strip and the material inoverlapping relationship while simultaneously sewing the two halves tothe material; simultaneously cutting transversely through both slidefastener halves at a point beyond an edge of the material; andconnecting the thus cut ends of the two slide fastener halves to eachother before sewing the next garment material to the continuousremainder of the slide fastener strip.
 2. A method as defined in claim 1wherein said cutting and connecting steps are carried outsimultaneously.
 3. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein saidconnecting step comprises the step of stapling said two slide fastenerhalves to each other.
 4. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein saidconnecting step comprises the step of applying a thermoplastic materialtransversely over at least part of the cut ends of both halves andwelding the thermoplastic material thereto.